A dream – Of starting out to sketch when it was yet winter; going by the bank of canal or creek (which was west Fourth Street) it started to rain, the sun came out dimly. A tree on the opposite bank came out into whole bloom, in a swamp to one side where wild flowers were growing; I did not seem disposed to sketch, but wandered along the bank. It seemed now that the “Town” had filled up the creek with dirt to use as a road, except the lower end which belonged to a man who refused to allow it to be filled. I was incensed at the supposed improvement. Now along this road; came a procession which I know was a patriotic demonstration; it was headed by a woman in white. I turned away and went in search of the flowers.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Volume 32, pg. 4, January 8, 1917